In Conversation
Rachel Scholler for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Rachel Scholler: To me, being an influential woman is not necessarily about having the biggest title or the loudest voice in the room. It really comes down to having courage to share your lived experience. I feel like so many young women and entrepreneurs, are looking for mentors and coaches and people to look up to and social media these days usually are just a highlight reel, which isn't always helpful for people struggling early on in their businesses. So I think it's really important for women that have walked the path to share what their lived experience actually is so that other people can see what truly is possible and normalize some of the struggle that we all go through early on and, you as we're growing and scaling our businesses as well, there's no shame in that and I think being vulnerable and open is, is really the best thing we can do to help other young women.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Rachel Scholler: Don't wait until you feel ready. You're never going to feel totally ready, and you just need to have belief and faith in yourself and take the leap and also allow yourself to pivot as things are expanding and you're, making progress. The way you envisioned your business going might not be the path, growth is very seldom linear and you need to be able to pivot, be OK with pivoting and reframe it. It's not a failure if it doesn't go exactly the way you envision it. It's just a redirection and there's so many reasons from the universe that that might happen, but it's really easy to get discouraged and down on yourself. So I would just encourage people to have confidence and trust in their abilities and move forward courageously and seek guidance when you need it, but just don't be afraid to move forward.
Her Story
About Rachel
Rachel Scholler is an entrepreneur, consultant, speaker, and author who spent 17 years building a non-emergency medical transportation company from two vehicles, with no outside funding, into a successful seven-figure business before selling it in 2025. Having experienced both the rewards and unexpected challenges of exiting a company, she developed the Clear to Exit Method to help business owners increase business value, reduce founder dependency, and prepare for life beyond the sale.
She is also the co-founder of Direct Appointment, a healthcare technology company working to improve transportation coordination within Medicaid, and the author of the forthcoming book Both Sides of the Wire. Through consulting, speaking, and educational programs, Rachel shares practical strategies drawn from real-world experience to help entrepreneurs build stronger businesses and more fulfilling lives.
Committed to giving back, Rachel supports community organizations focused on aging services, animal rescue, and other local initiatives while mentoring fellow entrepreneurs who are building the next chapter of their businesses.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning. Throughout my career, I've sought out mentors and coaches who challenged me to think bigger, while never losing the work ethic and problem-solving mindset that helped me build my first business from the ground up. Just as important has been building a culture of trust and loyalty—something reflected in the incredible team that stood beside me through every stage of the business. I believe lasting success comes from investing in people, staying adaptable, and continuing to grow long after you've achieved your goals.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was to invest in myself before expecting others to invest in me. The greatest return I've seen hasn't come from any single business decision—it has come from continually learning, seeking mentors who challenge my thinking, and putting myself in rooms with people who have already accomplished what I'm striving to achieve. Growth accelerates when you're willing to learn from those who've gone before you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Start by building yourself before you focus on building your business. Your mindset, confidence, and willingness to be coached will determine your success long before your strategy does. Learn from people who have already achieved what you're working toward, stay curious, and don't be afraid to take imperfect action. Every successful entrepreneur started without having all the answers.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see is that many business owners spend years preparing their company for growth but very little time preparing themselves for what comes after an exit. Financial planning is only part of the equation—there's also an emotional transition that often catches founders by surprise. At the same time, I'm excited about the opportunities technology creates to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and solve long-standing problems across industries. When paired with strong leadership, innovation has the power to create meaningful and lasting change.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, empathy, and service are the values that guide every decision I make, both professionally and personally. I believe in treating people fairly, leading by example, and never asking someone to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself. Hard work and perseverance have shaped my journey, but I believe character is what sustains success over the long term.
Above all, I hope my children are proud of the way I've lived my life—not just for what I've accomplished, but for how I've treated people along the way. If my success is measured by the impact I've had on others and the example I've set for my family, then I'll consider it a life well lived.
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